spruce

spruce¹ Definition

spruce (spro̵̅o̅s)

noun

any of a genus (Picea) of evergreen trees of the pine family, having slender needles that are rhombic in cross section
the soft, light wood of any of these trees
any of several evergreen trees, as the Douglas fir, resembling the spruces

Etymology: ME Spruce, for Pruce, Prussia < OFr < ML Prussia: prob. because the tree was first known as a native of Prussia

spruce² Definition

spruce (spro̵̅o̅s)

adjective spruc′er, spruc′·est

neat and trim in a smart, dapper way

Etymology: < ME Spruce (see spruce), esp. in the phr. Spruce leather, fine leather imported from Prussia

transitive verb spruced, spruc′·ing

to make spruce: usually with up

intransitive verb

to make oneself spruce: usually with up

spruce² Related Forms

spruce′ly adverb spruce′·ness noun

spruce Synonyms

modif.

trim, tidy, well-groomed; see neat 1.

spruce Usage Examples

Object

larch: Suitable conifers include Scots pine, and introduced species such as Sitka spruce, European larch and hybrid larch.
fir: The spruce firs, too, are very fine.
plantation: Here too, and on Claife Heights, are the spruce plantations.
pine: Sitka spruce is the dominant species with Norway spruce, lodgepole pine and Japanese larch also common.
forest: Imagine views of Mont Blanc and skiing through spruce forests from your own Alpine home.
tree: They will then decorate a spruce tree in the home.

Adjective modifier

white: Bt genes have been engineered into a wide range of species, including poplar, European larch, white spruce and walnut.

Modifies a noun

sawfly: The QIC includes details of the hosts, description and life cycle, damage, sources and pest status of the European spruce sawfly.
aphid: Fieldwork is carried out at Radnor Forest in Wales, where Forestry Commission research into the green spruce aphid is already established.
forest: This is where dense spruce forests cloak the sheer canyons for which the Park is famous.
tree: He should not have built the fire under the spruce tree.
top: You feel the tension of energy in the rare alpine spruce top.
spar: The wings had spruce spars ( either laminated or in one piece ).

Modifying Another Word

solid: They are all new and boxed Grade " AA " solid spruce top Flame Maple Back and Sides Rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets.
up: The front main bar is as ugly as it ever was despite a slight spruce up; odd Mock Tudor paneling and muted lighting.
very: The bus looks very spruce, only spoilt by the silver rear wheel, somewhat not in keeping.
all: However, the less good weather gives an opportunity to get the garden furniture all spruced up for the coming months.

Adjective complement

top: They are all new and boxed Grade " AA " solid spruce top Flame Maple Back and Sides Rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets.

Particle object:

garden: People in the Elswick Triangle area will have just four days to spruce up the gardens in their neighborhood.

Preposition: with

pine: The conifer forests are largely of Sitka and Norway spruce with some lodgepole pine.

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